Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
Begin your day with an 8:30am hotel pickup in Urumqi and enjoy a scenic 3-hour drive to Turpan, passing dramatic windmill farms, shimmering salt lakes, and the rugged beauty of the Tianshan Mountains. Step back in time at the atmospheric Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, where 15th-century Buddhist frescoes whisper tales of the past, then explore the sprawling ruins of Gaochang Ancient City, a once-thriving Silk Road kingdom. Marvel at the elegant Emin Minaret, a masterpiece of Uyghur architecture, and discover the ingenious Karez Irrigation System, an ancient engineering marvel that turned the desert into fertile land. Savor authentic local flavors during lunch. After a full day immersed in Turpan's rich history and stunning landscapes, relax on your return journey to Urumqi, arriving at your hotel with unforgettable memories of Xinjiang's cultural treasures.
What's included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Local guide
Bottled water
Private tour
Lunch
Transport by private vehicle
Gratuities
What to expect
Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
4h · Admission ticket included
At 8:30am, your guide will pick you up in the lobby of your centrally located hotel in Urumqi. Then, you will take a 3-hour ride in a private vehicle from Urumqi to Turpan. On the way, you will see windmill farms, saltwater lakes, and valley of Tianshan. After arriving in Turpan, visit Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, which is an abandoned site that has ruins of fresco and statues from 15th century.
Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja)
2h · Admission ticket included
Afterwards, you will go to ancient city ruin of Gaochang which was one of the most renowned kingdom along the Silk Road in the history. You can wander around to visit temples, stupas, city walls...etc among the ruin.
Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta)
1h · Admission ticket included
Lunch will be provided in the local restaurant. Next, you will go to Emin Minaret that was built in 1777AD with a typical Uyghur architectural style.
Karez System
4h · Admission ticket included
Later, before you head back to Urumqi, you will learn why Turpan could sustain itself in long history by visiting the Karez Irrigation System. After the irrigation system visit, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Urumqi where this wonderful day trip concludes.
Silkroadtrips
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tour operator
Meeting and pickup
Pickup details
We also pick you up from your centrally located Urumqi hotel.
Additional information
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Please wear comfortable shoes
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
